Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Various Treatments of Morbid Obesity

How can you treat an individual that is carrying more than 100 pounds of excess weight? What is the best morbid obesity treatment? Does exercise and dieting work or is weight-loss surgery the only realistic option?

Morbid obesity is becoming a growing global problem. As the world becomes fatter, so the numbers of individuals that are morbidly obese continue to grow and the cost to treat then continues to spiral upwards.

Possibly the best way to treat the condition is through the use of exercise and dieting. It is cheaper, especially if the individual takes responsibility for their own weight loss program and is safer (if done sensibly).

Unfortunately such morbid obesity treatments rarely work without the inclusion of behaviour modification therapy. Behaviour modification treatment is often given by a professional therapist that attempts to change the behaviour of morbidly obese patients by making radical changes to their way of life. Many therapists explore issues from emotional problems to self-image and interpersonal relationships.

This form of treatment can sometimes work and many that have undergone this form of treatment have been known to loose significant amounts of weight. By controlling the way they interact with food and by exercising regularly morbidly obese people can lose a lot of weight. Behaviour modification therapy gives them the motivation techniques and discipline required to make it happen.

But most of the time behaviour modification with exercise only helps a patient lose a certain amount of weight; an amount of weight loss that is insufficient to cure a very overweight person.

In such instances other options are made available, one of which is weight loss surgery. Weight loss treatment of morbid obesity can help a very overweight individual lose more than 65% of their excess weight in less than one year; compare that with only 5%, which is the average amount lost from people who take the behaviour modification route with dieting and exercising.

Weight loss surgery is a complex and traumatic procedure and it isn't one that should be taken lightly. Most people who are possible candidates for bariatric surgery normally have to be screened before they are allowed to undergo the procedure. It isn't normally recommended for individuals who are unwilling or unable to change their lifestyles. Only morbidly obese people who can dedicate themselves to a lifelong program requiring drastic lifestyle changes are seriously considered for weight loss surgery.

No matter what treatment is decided upon, the experience can be just as traumatic for a morbidly obese patient. To prevent the pain and struggle of having to go through an extremely tough program involving less food, exercise and behaviour modification or even the more difficult process of weight loss surgery lead a healthy life and don't become extremely overweight.

Reas Johnson is a microbiology student, who loves writing about popular health related issues. Social medical issues are often best looked at when you are properly informed. It's easy to misinform and scare those that are not been given the facts.